Adapter element with integrated water turbine generator

ABSTRACT

An adapter element for a solenoid valve assembly in an irrigation system includes an integral water turbine generator including an impeller positioned in an outlet flow path of a solenoid assembly thereof such that the impeller rotates when water flows to generate electricity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/266,444, filed Feb. 4, 2019 entitled ADAPTER ELEMENT WITHINTEGRATED WATER TURBINE GENERATOR which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/625,707,filed Feb. 2, 2018 entitled ADAPTER ELEMENT WITH INTEGRATED WATERTURBINE GENERATOR, the entire content of which is hereby incorporatedherein.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to an adapter element for use with asolenoid valve assembly in an irrigation system where the adapterelement includes an integrated water turbine generator to provideelectrical power when water flows through the solenoid valve assembly.

Related Art

Irrigation controllers typically control irrigation systems by openingand closing valves in the system selectively to provide a desiredwatering program. In some systems, there are areas that requireirrigation and have access to a source of pressurized water, however,are removed from a continuous supply of power, such an AC line voltage,for example. In this case, the system may utilize a battery operatedirrigation controller, at least to control irrigation in that area. Ingeneral, the batteries in such controllers need to be changed on anannual basis, however, they may need to be replaced more often dependingon the irrigation needs of the area. Checking battery status andchanging batteries on a relatively frequent basis is time consuming andinconvenient.

Some irrigation systems use a solar powered controller in areas thatlack access to a continuous power source. In this case, the batteries ofthe controller may be recharged using solar panels. Solar panels,however, introduce additional problems. One problem that the use ofsolar powered controllers introduces is placement. In particular, thesolar panels must be placed in a location with consistent exposure tosunlight on a year round basis. This poses a challenge to positioningthe controller, since plant growth over the course of time may changequite dramatically such that a good position in the winter may not be agood position in the summer or the following winter.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an alternative powersource for use with an irrigation controller that is independent of acontinuous power source provided by a line voltage, for example.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an adapter elementthat includes an integrated water turbine and is configured to place thewater turbine generator in the flow path of a solenoid assembly,typically used in irrigation systems such that the flow of water duringthe course of normal operation of the system will generate electricity.In embodiments, the generated electricity may be used to rechargebatteries of an irrigation controller that controls the solenoidassembly and valve assembly, and/or other valve assemblies. While theelectricity is preferably used to recharge an irrigation controller, itmay be used for any other suitable purpose.

In particular, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the turbine generator is mounted in the adapter elementwhich is configured for use with a valve assembly of the type commonlyused in irrigation systems to start and stop the flow of water todifferent irrigation stations. Thus, the adapter element and turbinegenerator of the present disclosure may be easily used in conjunctionwith existing irrigation systems.

An adapter for use with a solenoid valve assembly in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical housingincluding: an inlet channel extending between a bottom of thecylindrical housing and a top thereof; an outlet channel extendingbetween a bottom of the cylindrical housing and a top thereof; a turbinereceptacle provided in a side of the cylindrical housing adjacent to theoutlet channel; a turbine generator configured for insertion into theturbine receptacle and including: an impeller positioned in the outletchannel such that the impeller rotates when water flows through theoutlet channel; a rotor connected to the impeller that rotates with theimpeller, the rotor including a plurality of magnets; and a conductorcoil formed around the impeller such that rotation of the plurality ofmagnets induces an electric current in the coil; and at least oneelectrical lead connected to the conductor coil to provide an externalelectrical connection.

A solenoid valve assembly in accordance with and embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes a valve assembly including: an inletconfigured to receive pressurized water; a diaphragm component, movablefrom a closed position in which it prevents flow and an open position inwhich it allows flow of water; an outlet, configured to allow water toescape the valve assembly; a solenoid assembly including: a chamber influid communication with the inlet; a plunger movable from a closedposition in which it blocks the flow of water from the chamber and anopen position in which it allows the flow of water from the chamber,wherein the plunger is movable based on energizing a solenoid includingthe plunger; and an adapter positioned between the valve assemble andthe solenoid assembly including: a cylindrical housing including: aninlet channel extending between a bottom of the cylindrical housing anda top thereof; an outlet channel extending between a bottom of thecylindrical housing and a top thereof; a turbine receptacle provided ina side of the cylindrical housing adjacent to the outlet channel; aturbine generator configured for insertion into the turbine receptacleand including: an impeller positioned in the outlet channel such thatthe impeller rotates when water flows through the outlet channel; arotor connected to the impeller that rotates with the impeller, therotor including a plurality of magnets; and a conductor coil formedaround the impeller such that rotation of the plurality of magnetsinduces an electric current in the coil; and at least one electricallead connected to the conductor coil to provide an external electricalconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and related objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following,detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodimentof the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adapter elementincluding a water turbine generator in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates the adapter element of FIG. 1 positioned between asolenoid assembly and valve assembly of an irrigation system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates the adapter element of FIG. 1 positioned between asolenoid assembly and valve assembly of an irrigation system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter element of FIG. 1 inposition between a solenoid assembly and valve assembly of a solenoidvalve element of an irrigation system in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter element of FIG. 1connected to a solenoid assembly, with the plunger of the solenoid in aclosed position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter element of FIG. 1connected to a solenoid assembly, with the plunger of the solenoid in anopen position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the adapter element of FIG. 1 in position between asolenoid assembly and valve assembly where the solenoid is connected toand controlled by an exemplary irrigation controller that is powered bythe turbine generator of the adapter;

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an irrigation controllerand its battery which may be recharged by the adapter element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates the adapter element connected to an exemplarycontroller and in position in an exemplary irrigation line.

FIG. 7 illustrates an adapter element connected to an exemplarycontroller that controls multiple valves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Conventional water turbine generators are provided in dedicated housingsand positioned along a irrigation supply line in irrigation systems.These conventional turbine generators are a part of the supply line andtypically include a pressure activated bypass valve that may betriggered to divert the flow of water around the turbine when flowexceeds a required amount. The conventional turbines also commonlyinclude filtration upstream of the turbine to filter out debris that maydamage or prevent operation of the turbine. As a result, the housingsfor these conventional turbines tend to be rather large and bulky asthey require several distinct stages.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an adapter element 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In embodiments,the adapter element 1 is configured for installation with a conventionalsolenoid valve assembly in an irrigation system, which would not bepossible in view of the bulky housings required by existing waterturbines. The adapter element 1 includes a water turbine generator 3that generates electricity as water flows through the adapter 1. Anelectrical connection to the turbine generator 3 may be provided via theconducting leads 4 which may be used to provide power external to thegenerator.

In embodiments, the adapter element 1 includes a substantiallycylindrical body 10 with an inlet channel 10 a and outlet channel 10 bformed therein. In embodiments, the turbine generator 3 is mounted in aturbine receptacle 10 c, which is preferably formed through one side ofthe body 10 adjacent to the outlet channel 10 b. While the body 10 isillustrated as cylindrical, other shapes may be used.

FIG. 2A illustrates the adapter element 1 connected between a solenoidassembly 20 and valve assembly 30 in an exemplary irrigation system. Inembodiments, the solenoid assembly 20 controls flow of water through thevalve assembly 30. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of thisarrangement. In embodiments, the adapter 1 is configure for insertionbetween the valve assembly 30 and solenoid assembly 20 withoutinterrupting operation of either of these elements such that the adapter1 may be used to retrofit existing irrigation systems.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the adapter element 1connected to the solenoid assembly 20. As indicated by the arrows inFIG. 2A, water flows up the inlet channel 10 a of the adapter 1 into thechamber 22 of the solenoid assembly 20. In FIG. 2A, the plunger 23 ofthe solenoid assembly 20 is in the closed position which prevents waterin the chamber 22 from entering the outlet channel 10 b of the adapter1. FIG. 4 illustrates the plunger 23 in the open position such thatwater in the chamber 22 flows out through the outlet channel 10 b andthrough the impeller 2 of the turbine generator 3. The impeller 2rotates as water flows through it. In embodiments, the impeller 2rotates a rotor that includes one or more magnets 3 a, which induce acurrent in coil 3 b surrounding the magnets. The rotor, magnets and coilare provided in a portion of the turbine generator that is water proofand isolated from the impeller 2. In embodiments, water proofing may beprovided by potting the components thereof. In embodiments, the coil 3 bis electrically connected to the leads 4 such that the generated currentmay be provided to an electric device outside of the adapter 1. Inembodiments, the turbine generator 3 may be adapted to provide a desirecurrent. In embodiments, the turbine generator will provide a minimumcurrent of 0.5 amps.

In embodiments, the plunger 23 is biased into the closed position ofFIG. 3 such that flow of water through the valve assembly 30 isprevented. When the solenoid assembly 20 is energized, the plunger 23 islifted upward into the open position, illustrated in FIG. 4, forexample, and the valve assembly 30 opens to allow the flow of watertherethrough. As illustrated, the top portion of the cylindrical housing10 of the adapter 1 includes internal threads 1 a that are configured tocorrespond to external threads 10 d provided on the outer surface of thelower portion of the solenoid assembly 20. In embodiments, the adapterelement 1 is securely connected to the solenoid assembly 20 without theneed for any modification thereof. While threads 1 a are illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2A, 3 and 4, any suitable connection may be provided betweenthe adapter 1 and the solenoid assembly 20.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B illustrates the adapter 1 connectedbetween the valve assembly 30 and the solenoid assembly 20 with theplunger 23 of the solenoid assembly 20 in an open position such thatwater flow through the valve assembly, and the adapter 1, is permitted.When the valve assembly 30 is operating (open) as in FIG. 2B, thediaphragm D is open (raised) to allow water to pass. The diaphragm Dopens when the plunger 23 is in the open (raised) position to allowwater to flow through the outlet channel 10 b, thus reducing thepressure above the diaphragm D and allowing the diaphragm to move upbased on the pressure provided by the incoming flow of water into thevalve assembly 30. When the plunger 23 moves back down (closedposition), it prevents the flow of water through the channel 10 b suchthat water remains in the space above the diaphragm D to hold thediaphragm down in the closed position, along with the bias of the springS, as illustrated in 2A. It is noted that since the water that flowsinto the adapter element 1 and valve assembly 30 must pass through thesmall clearance between the metering pin P and the insert I of thediaphragm D, the water is largely free of debris such that additionalfiltering in the adapter element 1 is unnecessary.

The bottom portion of the adapter body 10 of the adapter element 1includes exterior threads 1 b configured to cooperate with the interiorthreads 32 of the valve assembly 30 such that the adapter 1 connects tothe valve assembly 30 without modification thereof. While threads areillustrated, any suitable connection may be provided between the adapter1 and the valve assembly. The arrows in FIG. 2A illustrate water flowfrom the inlet of the valve assembly 30 through the opening between themetering pin P and insert I into the space above the diaphragm D. Whenthe plunger 23 is raised in the open position, water flows into theadapter 1, through the inlet channel 10 a and into the chamber 22 andthen back down outlet channel 10 b through the impeller 2 of the turbinegenerator 3 and to the outlet of the valve assembly 30. The water flowthrough the impeller 2 rotates the impeller to generate electricity.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary irrigation controller 50 connected tothe leads 4 of the turbine generator 3. In embodiments, the turbinegenerator 3 provides power for recharging a battery (see FIG. 5A) of thecontroller 50. In embodiments, as indicated in FIG. 5A, the controller50 may include a rechargeable battery that is connected to the generator3. In embodiments, the controller 50 may use any another power storageelement, such as a capacitor or capacitor array, to name a few. Inembodiments, the electricity generated by the turbine generator 3 may beused to power the controller 50 directly.

The controller 50 is connected to the solenoid assembly 20 to controlthe plunger 23 which moves between the open (raised) and closed(lowered) position to start and stop the flow of water through the valveassembly 30. The valve assembly 30 is preferably positioned in a watersupply line for one or more irrigation stations as can be seen in FIG.6, for example. The flow of water through the valve 30 determineswhether watering is occurring at the irrigation stations supplied bythat line. The controller 50 may be connected to additional valveassemblies 30 (or solenoids 20) to control watering at multipleirrigation stations as indicated in FIG. 7, for example. Theseadditional valve assemblies 30 need not be paired with the adapter 1since the power provided by the turbine generator 3 of the adapter 1should be sufficient to recharge the batteries of the controller 50, orotherwise power controller 50 even if the controller is controllingadditional valve assemblies and solenoids 20. If desired, an adapter 1may be included with the other valve assemblies 30, to provideadditional power either to the controller 50 or for any other desiredpurpose. As noted above, while the power from the turbine generator 3 ofthe adapter element 1 is preferably used to power an irrigationcontroller, it may be used for any other desired purpose, for example,powering landscape lighting.

The flow rate through the adapter element 1 may be adjusted, if desired,by varying the pressure drop across the valve assembly 30. In oneexample, this can be done by changing the diaphragm spring S of thevalve assembly 30. Alternatively, in a valve assembly that provides flowcontrol, the flow control element may be used to vary the flow throughthe adapter 1.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Stepsand units described in relation to one aspect of the method or systemmay be added, or substituted, for steps or units described with respectto another aspect of the system. Combinations and permutations of stepsdifferent from those outlined are also contemplated. Steps outlined insequence need not necessarily be performed in sequence, not all stepsneed necessarily be executed, and other intervening steps may beinserted. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention belimited not by the specific disclosure herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter element for use with a solenoid valveassembly comprising: a housing including: an inlet channel extendingbetween a bottom of the housing and a top thereof; an outlet channelextending between a bottom of the housing and a top thereof; a turbinereceptacle provided in a side of the housing adjacent to the outletchannel; a turbine generator configured for insertion into the turbinereceptacle and including: an impeller positioned in the outlet channelsuch that the impeller rotates when water flows through the outletchannel; a rotor connected to the impeller that rotates with theimpeller, the rotor including a plurality of magnets; and a conductorcoil formed around the impeller such that rotation of the plurality ofmagnets induces an electric current in the coil; and at least oneelectrical lead connected to the conductor coil to provide an externalelectrical connection.
 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the bodyincludes an open top end including a first connector, wherein the firstconnector is configured to mate with a solenoid connector of a solenoidassembly to connect the adapter to the solenoid assembly.
 3. The adapterof claim 2, wherein the body includes an open bottom end including asecond connector and configured to mate with a valve connector of avalve assembly to connect the adapter to the valve assembly.
 4. Theadapter of claim 3, wherein the inlet channel is configured to be influid communication with an inlet side of a valve element and a chamberof the solenoid assembly such that water flows from the inlet side ofthe valve assembly through the inlet channel and to the chamber of thesolenoid assembly.
 5. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the outlet channelis configured to be in fluid communication with a chamber of thesolenoid assembly on a top end thereof and with an outlet side of thevalve assembly at a bottom end thereof such that water flows from thechamber of the solenoid assembly through the outlet channel and theimpeller and down to the outlet side of the valve assembly.
 6. Theadaptor of claim 1, where the at least one conducting lead is configuredfor connection to an irrigation controller.
 7. The adaptor of claim 1,wherein the rotor, plurality of magnets and conducting coils of theturbine generator are provided in a water proof portion of the turbinegenerator.
 8. A solenoid valve assembly comprising: a valve assemblyincluding: an inlet configured to receive pressurized water; a diaphragmcomponent, movable from a closed position in which it prevents flow andan open position in which it allows flow of water; and an outlet,configured to allow water to escape the valve assembly; a solenoidassembly including: a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet; aplunger movable from a closed position in which it blocks the flow ofwater from the chamber and an open position in which it allows the flowof water from the chamber, wherein the plunger is movable based onenergizing a solenoid including the plunger; and an adapter positionedbetween the valve assemble and the solenoid assembly including: ahousing including: an inlet channel extending between a bottom of thehousing and a top thereof; an outlet channel extending between a bottomof the housing and a top thereof; a turbine receptacle provided in aside of the cylindrical housing adjacent to the outlet channel; aturbine generator configured for insertion into the turbine receptacleand including: an impeller positioned in the outlet channel such thatthe impeller rotates when water flows through the outlet channel; arotor connected to the impeller that rotates with the impeller, therotor including a plurality of magnets; and a conductor coil formedaround the impeller such that rotation of the plurality of magnetsinduces an electric current in the coil; and at least one electricallead connected to the conductor coil to provide an external electricalconnection.
 9. The solenoid valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the bodyof the adapter element includes an open top including a first connector,wherein the first connector is configured to mate with a solenoidconnector of the solenoid assembly to connect the adapter to thesolenoid assembly.
 10. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the body includesan open bottom end including a second connector and configured to matewith a valve connector of the valve assembly to connect the adapter tothe valve assembly.
 11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the inletchannel is configured to be in fluid communication with an inlet side ofthe valve element and a chamber of the solenoid assembly such that waterflows from the inlet side of the valve assembly through the inletchannel and to the chamber of the solenoid assembly.
 12. The adapter ofclaim 10, wherein the outlet channel is configured to be in fluidcommunication with the chamber of the solenoid assembly on a top endthereof and with an outlet of the valve assembly at a bottom end thereofsuch that water flows from the chamber of the solenoid assembly throughthe outlet channel and the impeller and down to the outlet side of thevalve assembly.
 13. The adaptor of claim 10, where the at least oneconducting lead is configured for connection to an irrigationcontroller.
 14. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the rotor, plurality ofmagnets and conducting coil of the turbine generator are provided in awater proof portion of the turbine generator.